Najib arrives at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex to face fresh charges

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex where he is expected to face three new charges.

Escorted by police outriders, he entered the court complex at 8.50am on Wednesday (Aug 8) in his Toyota Vellfire.

Hundreds of journalists have gathered outside the complex since 6am as they awaited his arrival.

Court officials and police earlier issued passes to 71 journalists who will be allowed into the court complex.

Others who did not manage to obtain passes have to camp at the lobby and outside the court complex.

A rally which was scheduled to be held in solidarity with Najib did not take place as expected.

A small group of supporters were seen hanging out outside the main entrance but none of them caused a ruckus.

As security is tight with strong police presence, none of the supporters or members of the public were allowed into the court compound.

Only journalists with official media tags from the Information Department were allowed in.

Actress Ellie Suriaty Omar, who created a ruckus at the court lobby when Najib was charged last month, had been spotted outside the entrance, together with Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Adam.

The embattled former prime minister is expected to be charged with offences under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Anti-Terrorism Financing Act and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) 2001.

If convicted, he faces up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the proceeds of unlawful activities, or RM5mil, whichever is higher.

Highly-placed MACC sources confirmed that a new set of charges would be pressed against Najib, who is already facing four charges in connection with SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

On July 4, Najib was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of using his position for gratification as part of a probe into funds missing from 1MDB. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The charges were related to the RM42mil that allegedly went from SRC International into Najib's personal bank account.

More to come